AIB Ulster Club SFC: Eunan's march on

AIB Ulster Club SFC Quarter-Final

St Eunan’s, Letterkenny 1-14 Erne Gaels, Belleek 0-10

By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park

St Eunan’s Letterkenny clinched their place in the semi-final of the Ulster Club SFC with a seven-point victory over three in a row Fermanagh champions Erne Gaels at Brewster Park.

A strong finish to the first half saw the Donegal side land the final four points to go in at half time with a 0-7 to 0-3 lead and they put the game out of reach for Erne Gaels as they hit 1-3 in the opening eight minutes of the second half to move 1-10 to 0-3 ahead.

Erne Gaels did continue to battle, but were wasteful in front of the posts including missing three late goal chances as St Eunan’s deservedly claimed the victory.

It was the Donegal champions who displayed the greater intent in the opening spell as Conor O’Donnell Junior fired over after a patient build up before the same player added a second.

Dillon Doogan then fisted over as St Eunan’s opened up a three-point lead by the seventh minute.

Erne Gaels grew into the game after this and they hit back with three points of their own. Ultan Kelm clipped over two close range frees to get them off the mark while Kelm also had a shot at goal saved by Shaun Patton midway through the half.

A point from Erne Gaels captain Ryan Lyons levelled matters at 0-3 each by the 20th minute, but it was St Eunan’s who moved ahead in the closing stages of the first period.

The impressive Ciaran Moore tagged on two points while Eoin McGeehin and Conor O’Donnell also slotted over scores to put four between the sides at the break, 0-3 to 0-7.

It was at the start of the second half when the damage was really done as St Eunan’s increased their lead. Kieran Tobin knocked over the first score of the half before the only goal of the game arrived in the 33rd minute. An intercepted kickout was quickly worked to Conor O’Donnell Junior and the St Eunan’s captain fired it past Brian Ryder in the Erne Gaels goal.

Two O’Donnell frees quickly followed as the gap between the sides moved out to 10 points by the 38th minute.

Ultan Kelm did land a fine two point effort as well a point for Erne Gaels while St Eunan’s had James Kelly black carded to give Erne Gaels further hope.

However, St Eunan’s were able to see this period out without any real harm.

O’Donnell Junior and Oisin Kelm swapped points before Shane O’Donnell, McGeehin and Eoin Dowling landed further points for St Eunan’s with Seamus Ryder notching a mark for the Fermanagh side.

Erne Gaels did threaten late on as Oisin Kelm fired over a two pointer while Barry McCann and Michael Og McGarrigle were denied goals as St Eunan’s managed to scramble clear on both occasions.

Ryder then saw a shot come back off the post at the death, but it would only have been a consolation score as St Eunan’s prevailed.

Scorers for St Eunan's: Conor O’Donnell Jnr 1-5 (3fs), Ciaran Moore 0-2, Eoin McGeehin 0-2, Kieran Tobin 0-1, Conor O’Donnell 0-1, Shane O’Donnell 0-1, Dillon Doogan 0-1, Eoin Dowling 0-1.

Scorers for Erne Gaels: Ultan Kelm 0-5 (1 tp, 2f), Oisin Kelm 0-3 (1 tp), Ryan Lyons 0-1, Seamus Ryder 0-1 (m).

St Eunan's: Shaun Patton; Noah Barrett, Caolan Ward, Josh Hay; Kieran Tobin, Conor O’Donnell, Oran Winston; Dillon Doogan, Eoin Dowling; Ciaran Moore, Shane O’Donnell, Luke McGuinness; Eoin McGeehin, James Kelly, Conor Jnr O’Donnell.

Subs: P Boyle for Doogan (47), P McGettigan for Kelly (57).

Erne Gaels: Brian Ryder; Shane Mimna, Paul Ward, Ultan O’Reilly; Oisin Kelm, Jack McCann, Eamonn Og Magee; Ryan Lyons, Brian Mullin; Tommy McCaffrey, Ultan Kelm, Odhran Johnston; Dan McCann, Aogan Kelm, Michael Og McGarrigle

Subs: Barry McCann for Johnston (42), Seamus Ryder for Mullin (52), Paul McCaffrey for Mimna (60), Martin Gilfeddar for Dan McCann (60), Shane Rooney for A Kelm (60).

Referee: Kevin Faloon (Armagh).